Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-03-31

who is known to be opposed to the passage
of the bill. B. 7. o.
This letter, dated on the 2Sth. should
have been received at this Office On Tues
day morning.
RICHMOND, Mar. 3O.-When Senator Rhea
introduced his resolution in the Senate
providing for an investigation concerning
the Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago
Railroad Co., 1 took occasion to say in my
correspondence that it was deeply regretted
that even the name of that distinguished
South Carolinian, q. s. Senator Butler, was
mentioned at all. Gen. Butler was invited
to address the Committee on Roads by the
committee itself, and when he went before
that body he gave clear and concise pre-.
sentation of the facts. The presence OF
Gen. Butler in Richmond was generally
known, and he has been the recipient OF
much attention at the hands of some OF our
most noted citizens, who first met him dur
ing the dark days Of the war. The very
moment Senator Rhea introduced his reso.
luton Senator Meredith, of Prince William,
arose to his feet, and with indignation re.
PEELED any reflection upon the character
and integrity of the distinguished South
Carolnian. Senator Rhea then and there dis
claimed any reflection upon Gen. Butler, and
to-day the report of the special committee
appointed by the Senate 'to enquire if any
improper means has been resorted to by the
friends of the Charleston, Cincinnati and
Chicago railroad company" as set forth in
Senator Rhea's resolution fell as fiat as
founder. The evidence was taken in short.
hand and there is not single line in the
Que hundred pages of it going to show that
the friends of the bill resorted to any i'm
proper means to secure its passage. TO
make the matter short, Senator Rhea put
his foot into it when he sought the investi.
CATION, which Senator Meredith, with vehe.
ment force, characterized as "unkind, IN
generous and unjust" to the gentlemen who
are interested in the building Of this road
through section of Virginia where know,
from my own personal knowledge, there
are grown persons who have never seen
a railroad track or locomotive. That
such men as Genera! Butler, ex-United
States Senator Johnston, Col. R. A. Johnson,
the manager of the road, Mr.. Matson the
chief engineer and Hon. S. B. Witt, of Rich
mond, should have even had their names
connected with the investigation, and all
with the exception OF ex Senator Johnston,
induced to attend the sessions of the COM
mittee, is antagonistic to the true sentiment
of the Virginia Legislature, and South Caro-.
linians especially ought to be apprized Of
this fact.
1t is quito probable that the Senate will
take up Friday, if not to morrow, the resoln-
ton looking to q recess until the committee
from the foreign bondholders arrive. AT
first there were serious objections to recess
but to night it looks as if one is not far of.
Tomorrow will be day of talk in the
General Assembly, Or rather, there will be
several speeches made when nominations
for railroad commissioners are in order.
Mr. w. T. Atkins, of Mecklenburg, did not
formally lay his claims before the members
of the Legislature until to-day, when circu-
lar Letters favoring his election on the
ground that he lived in Southsids, Va,
were laid upon the desks of members.
B. PO